I am a communicator, currently working at the American Association for Cancer Research in Philadelphia as director of communications, Stand Up To Cancer. AACR is Scientific Partner of Stand Up To Cancer, a wonderful program based in the entertainment industry that funds critical cancer research. I work with both organizations to tell the terrific story of what they are doing to fight cancer.

Expert writer and public relations executive; long experience as contract writer; skilled in turning information on complex subjects into engaging, readable and publishable articles. Well-developed journalistic skills in interviewing newsmakers and sources; expert at online and traditional research.

Professional Experience

American Association for Cancer Research — 2014-present

AACR director of communications for Stand Up To Cancer. I interpret scientific advances to the general public, work with SU2C to ensure scientific accuracy of its communications, stage news conferences, help manage other events, and manage website content.

Published author with 12 entries, comprising almost 30 pages in the Encyclopedia of Food and Culture (New York: Scribner’s, 2003)

National Chicken Council — Director of Communications — 1998-2011

Initiated in-house PR function and reported to CEO of the major trade association for the $35 billion chicken production, processing, and marketing industry. Responsible for improving the industry’s image with the media, policy-makers and the public.

Expertise as Association and Industry Spokesperson

• Articulate and successful in media encounters on variety of legal, political, technical, and scientific issues

• Featured in the movie “Food, Inc.,” advocating modern production and processing

• Worked closely with scientists on their media encounters on key scientific and technical issues

Crisis and Issues Management

• Led communications program that restored public confidence and prevented loss of sales to the poultry industry despite international epidemic of Avian Influenza.

— Expertise as crisis manager was recognized by The Wall Street Journal (“‛Merchant of Drumsticks’ Aims To Allay Chicken-Flu Fears,” May 4, 2006)

Media Relations Expert

• Established long-term relationships of trust with key journalists

• Wrote speeches, magazine pieces, op-eds, and letters to the editor for industry leaders and regular trade magazine column for association president

Social Media Capability

• Led association’s move into social media with coordinated, multi-platform presence including Facebook, Twitter and news blog; Facebook page has more than 66,000 “likes,” most by far among industry segment

Government Relations

• Designed and implemented a grassroots government relations program that generated 5,000 comments on regulatory matter and helped persuade government to rework regulation

Internal Communications

• As in-house journalist, kept industry informed on issues and developments in Washington through weekly newsletter, bulletins, and timely updates to blogs, websites and social media

Fleishman-Hillard — Vice President — 1989-1998

Promoted to vice president in Washington office of this major public relations firm.

• Worked on-site with clients to communicate their messages effectively

DCM Group — Account Supervisor — 1980-1989

Worked primarily with both incumbent and non-incumbent candidates for Congress and statewide office at this Virginia-based political consulting and public affairs firm

Journalism and politics

Served as press secretary, communications staffer, or communications director for several candidates and political organizations, 1974-1979 Reporter, United Press International, Richmond, Virginia, 1972-1974

Education

George Mason University Fairfax, Virginia 1983-1986 Bachelor’s degree in Political Analysis

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2 comments

How can you possibly say that GMOs and GE foods have no effect on people? Have you not seen the research on the declining health of americans since 1996? How much do you receive from Monsanto every year? Cannot believe that people like yourself are in charge of our media. You make me sick.

One drawback of being any kind of a public person is the chance of getting weird comments like the one above. No idea where he saw comments on genetic engineering attributed to me, but he took the trouble of tracking me down on this blog, so obviously it bothers him. Of course, GMOs and GE really don’t have any effect on humans, and there is a ton of science to that effect; but some people are blind and deaf to science and the facts. Rather sad, really.